News Archive
Hounds for Heroes
The boys and girls of 1st Churt Beaver Scouts have been busy working to gain their "My world" challenge badge. As part of this they had to identify a way they could help a local community. They held a Log Chew, and decided that they would raise money for Hounds for Heroes, a charity who provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women, of both the U.K. Armed Forces and the Emergency Services.
Allen Parton, founder of Hounds for Heroes came to visit the Colony with his two dogs EJ and Rookie. The Beavers learnt how the dogs were trained, and how they help their owners.
After some discussion the Beavers planned "Trek the rec". They decided to either cycle, hop, walk, or run around the local recreation ground in Churt. Sponsor forms were taken home and the process began. In the Easter holidays they congregated at the rec. and carried out the trek They trekked around the rec. over 150 times in total and helped each other along the way. All of the Beavers pushed themselves and really tried their best.
Allen and a colleague Rita, with EJ and Rookie, later visited the Colony again and were very pleased to receive £720.30 in sponsorship monies, and for their efforts the Beavers each received a Hounds for Heroes medal.
GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS
Two Explorer Scouts from Haslemere and District, Jonathan Russell & Emily Collins-Wingate, were honoured to be invited to St. James' Palace on 23rd February, to receive their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
They were among about 300 young people, around 60 of those representing Scouting. The group were presented with their awards in the Entree Room, the room where William & Kate announced their engagement, and afterwards Prince Phillip walked through and chatted to the participants, and Kate Humble the TV presenter chatted to them all, describing some really significant events in her life.
This award is not for the faint hearted, for it started with their expedition over 4 days and 3 nights, walking with all their kit on the western side of the Lake District in August 2014. There were two teams and the assessor remarked that they were the best he had come across.
Jonathan volunteered helping with the Camelsdale Cub Pack for 18 months and that included joining the summer camp at Blacklands Farm. For his physical he built up his swimming skills (lapsed since junior school age), assessed by a swim trainer from Godalming. His skills section was learning about conservation, working with the Lynchmere Society to learn about the use of tools, biodiversity and how to return land to heathland. Finally for his residential he joined a tall ships venture, and sailed over 5 days from Ipswich to Bruges in Belgium on a fantastic tall ship called the Stavros S Niarchos.
Emily for her physical learnt to tap dance at Stage One Youth Theatre for a production of "Anything goes" at Fareham's Ferneham Hall. For her skills she performed as Miss Lynch in a production of "Grease" at Ferneham Hall. For volunteering she assisted at 1st Harting Cub Pack, and for her residential she spent a week at Nottingham University called Vet-MedLink. This was a week of lectures mimicking being a vet student.
Jonathan is now at Alton College studying for "A" levels, and Emily is in her first year at Surrey University studying Veterinary Medicine.
The District is Growing
Haslemere was among the first districts in Surrey to complete it's census return, and it shows good news. Over the past year Haslemere and District grew by over 10%. 425 young people, boys and girles, now enjoy Life Changing Adventure in and around Haslemere. That's pretty much the equivalent of a large primary school full of children. And all thanks to a wonderful team of nearly 90 adult volunteer leaders who can feel proud of what they do. Scouting in and around Haslemere makes a difference to a lot of young people.
Fr Jonathan How, Acting District Commissioner, said, "This is a wonderful achievement and I would like to thank all those who give their time and energy to Scouting. These figures are a reminder of just how many young people benefit from Scouting activities in this area alone. We have many more children and young people wanting to join, and could provide Scouting for them too if there were more adult volunteers".
The search for a new District Commissioner is ongoing, but to date there have been no firm nominations for the position. If you think the challenge might be for you contact Fr Jonathan How on 07877078208 or [email protected]
Haslemere & District Explorer Scouts taking part in a Bronze D of E Expedition over the South Downs in Sept 2015 and having great fun into the bargain.
Search for new District Commissioner
CAN YOU INSPIRE?
District Commissioner
We now need a brilliant volunteer manager to take Scouting forward in and around Haslemere. As District Commissioner you will offer support to Scout Groups, helping them to grow. You will manage adults, setting objectives and holding regular one to ones, and will be supported by a strong and experienced team. Most importantly you will ensure that Scouting offers an enjoyable and attractive programme for young people helping prepare them for a bright future.
Although no Scouting experience is necessary, you will know how to motivate people, produce a local development plan and have the charisma to inspire your team. Above all, you will believe passionately in Scouting for All, helping Scouting grow, become more inclusive, more youth shaped and make a positive impact in local communities.
It’s a challenging role, but the rewards are huge, improving the outcomes of thousands of young people.
Scouting offers fun, friendship and life changing adventure to over 450,000 young people across the UK. But this is only made possible
by our talented teams of volunteers.
For more information download the DC Vacancy Pack here or Contact:
Fr Jonathan How at [email protected]
07877 078208
Chief Scout's Gold Awards
Six Scouts from troops in Haslemere and District were presented with their Chief Scout's Gold Awards at a ceremony in Caterham on Saturday 21st November, organised by Surrey Scouts. The award is the culmination of a lot of hard work and to achieve it the Scouts took part in activities such as climbing, caving, hill walking, all combined with community service and learning skills such as first aid.
The awards were presented by Roxanna Bostock, County Commissioner for Surrey Scouts, and Mrs Elizabeth Kennedy, the High Sheriff of Surrey. Mrs Kennedy gave an interesting talk on the role of the Sheriff.
The Scouts were Bertie Godsman from 1st Camelsdale, Trinity Goacher, Oliver Jones and Jude Weir from 1st Fernhurst, and Mack Butler, Tyler Ward from 1st Haslemere.
